Saving The Working Boys Home *UPDATE*

[Aylestone Voice]

Added only for you all to read the last bit

 

Hereford Times today

 

New nursing home in Colwall

 

. 8:01am Thursday 24th April 2014 in News .

 

PLANS for a nursing-home in Colwall have been given the green light.

Blue Cedar Homes were yesterday (Wednesday) granted permission to build the 46-bed home on land off Walwyn Road.

The proposal also includes 25 new homes, comprising of 12 sheltered housing units.

The approval means that an existing bottling plant at the site will be demolished.

The plant was built in 1892 and, up until 2010, was home to Malvern Water Enterprise.

The application was recommended for refusal because, even though the plant is not a listing building, it has "heritage value."

But, nine councillors gave the proposal the thumbs-up with only five voting against it.

"I agree the bottling plant has history, but the developer is trying to supply what the people want," said Councillor Dave Greenow.

"If the locals are happy, we need to listen to them."

However, Cllr Mark Hubbard said that the building does have local significance.

"I don't think it is a shell of a building, I think it is all there," said Cllr Hubbard.

"What has happened to society when we say, 'yeah, lets knock everything down'."

[SON OF GRIDKNOCKER]

Interesting little titbit which has only just come to light.  Remember that hapless crew Hereford Futures?  And who can forget that nauseating valedictory message written by J.Bretherton and published in the Civic Society's quarterly which I seem to recall began: "It is so hard, in the space of just 600 words, to list all Hereford Futures' wonderful achievements..."  And of course one of those wonderful achievements was the flood alieviation programme which was necessary to guarantee the Old Market site and its immediate environs from the risk of flooding in the future.  This area included the route of the notorious Link Road to Nowhere.

 

Well, it seems that the specification for this superhuman engineering task, overseen by Mr Bretherton, only delivered what is termed a 100-year risk: that the chances of the land being flooded should only occur once in every century.  But H&WFA don't build on land that only has a 100-year flood risk assessment, and therefore ruled out as unsuitable all the potential sites along the path of the Link Road which the council's property services department offered them!

[dippyhippy]

Well, well, well!!

 

I wonder if HC were aware of this??

Were they offering sites which they knew would be rejected??

 

This whole situation appears to be almost orchestrated....so that both HC and H&WFA get exactly what they want, whilst trying to show that they have looked at alternative places.

 

As for Jonathan Bretherton, I can only say......" It is so hard, in the space of just 600 words, to list all of Hereford Futures monumental cock-ups.....but I shall endeavour to keep on reminding folks!"

[Mark Hubbard]

We could learn a lot from different cultures about how we treat public space. This plaque says it all on how we should prioritise public space and its usage.

[Aylestone Voice]

according to the Hereford Times the future cover in Hereford is proposed as:-

 

"As proposed, full-time 24/7 first response fire and rescue fire cover at Hereford fire station comes down to a single appliance and no more than seven fire fighters on a shift".

 

I may be missing the point but why then do we need a new fire station?

[John Harrington]

Entirely and utterly the pertinent point Aylestone Voice! Lets see the HWFS report claiming current station is not fit for purpose.

[John Harrington]

Perhaps, the Council knocking down the Working Boys School for a car park would look bad for them but the Fire Service doing it and swapping land makes it look a slightly less mercenary raid.

[dippyhippy]

The bottom line really, is they just don't care.

When I say "they", I suppose I just mean Mr Bramer....as he seems to be the only one whose opinion matters.

 

Why should he care?

Having just sold one of his properties for three million quid, its obvious that he doesn't live on the same planet as the rest of us.

 

I wonder if he would "swap" his property, for one just down the round. Half the size, and worth half the money???

I mean, if its "best value" for us.....?????

[Cambo]

So we get a reduced fire service but they get a bigger site to put a lovely new fire station on so as they can house one engine in it!!

I think the words to the children's nursery rhyme London's burning should be changed to Herefords burning fire,fire?!

Becos if they go head with this crazy plan then that's wots going to happy!!!

Not that it will both Dirty Harry none to much, as he'll be lay on a sun lounger sipping on a piña colarda & ogling sum scanterly clad bikin babies lay around a pool on a distant island in the sun no doubt?! spending sum of that money he got from the sale of his manor house??!!

[megilleland]

Meanwhile in Worcester.

 

From H&W BBC radio: 25 April 2014 

 

Royal Worcester Porcelain site 'arts quarter' plan approved

 

A £10m scheme to create an "arts quarter" on the Royal Worcester Porcelain site has been given the go-ahead by council bosses. The development will include cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as workshops where porcelain making could be revived.

 

It is hoped work on the scheme, inspired by Paris's artistic Left Bank, can start before the end of the year. The former works closed in 2008, after more than 300 years of production.

 

The site is owned by The Bransford Trust, which oversees several art projects in the city.

 

Vincent Kirk from KKE Architects, behind the scheme, said: "I am relieved and pleased to get this approval. "It's an exciting scheme and, for a small city like Worcester, you don't often get a chance to do something like this."

 

No retail shops - so it can be done. And all we get is more car park. Anyone know how much is planned to spend on tarmac in the future ie £27m on a link road, £130m? on a bypass and £20m on the county roads through Balfour Beatty. Yet when you go down Blackfriars Road the new tarmac laid for the OLM stops 200 yards short of Widemarsh Street!

 

[dippyhippy]

More evidence that other cities can get it right!

 

Most authorities see the value in protecting their heritage, and reinvigorating it for another generation to enjoy.

 

It's not rocket science. With a bit of vision, a touch of common sense, and an ability to look to the future and see beyond any short term gain, it can be achieved.....unless of course, you happen to live in Hereford!

[Cambo]

Hereford times

 

PLANS for a new fire station in Hereford will be on show at a ‘drop in’ event on Wednesday May 14.

 

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is looking to replace its current St Owen Street station, and will be showcasing its ideas ahead of a formal planning application.

 

Last month Herefordshire Council approved a land swap deal for the fire station’s current site, that would see the council’s Bath Street offices demolished and a new base built on the site.

 

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority has said a new Hereford fire station is a priority as the present station is not fit for present and future operations.

The fire service is now calling on residents to check out the proposals, ask any questions and give their views in order to help it form a final design.

 

The drop in will be at the Hereford fire station between 2pm and 8pm, with visitors asked to access the building via Daws Road.

 

For more information contact consultation@hwfire.org.uk or call 0845 122 4454.

[Cambo]

Hey guys don't forget it's HWFRS open day to show off there plans for a new fire station tomorrow!

[megilleland]

Hey guys don't forget it's HWFRS open day to show off there plans for a new fire station tomorrow!

 

PLANS for a new fire station in Hereford will be on show at a ‘drop in’ event on Wednesday May 14.

Have they changed the date?

[Cambo]

Well done megilleland nice to see you've not fallen asleep on duty consider this a fire drill!!!

As for the rest of you I want a hundred lines…I must not miss the drop in event @ the fire station on Wednesday 14th may!!!

[Cambo]

I will be writing mine shortly wot with all the excitement of the may fair, the opening of that OLM! (which by the way bobby47 I've not stepped foot in!! so can I become a member of your notorious high town man gang?? ) so I totally got it into my head it was tomorrow so apologises one & all!

[dippyhippy]

No apology needed Cambo - I am always getting in a muddle!

I haven't ventured into OLM territory either.....mind you, I haven't been in town much either....too much work makes Dippy a dull blogger!!

[dippyhippy]

Anyone know anything about the group "Save Britain's Heritage"?

 

Apparently they have a buildings at risk list, and according to an article on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, they have been instrumental in helping to save two buildings that were at high risk of being demolished.

 

At this stage in the proceedings, would it be worth trying to highlight the plight of The Working Boys Home, to them??

 

Or am I clutching at straws??

[Ubique]

Dippy , thank you for your update, I have just viewed their website, very interesting , I am sure that the researchers who have posted information relating to the Working Boys Home should , if they haven't done already , visit the site to ascertain if there is any benefit in involving them.

The below has been copied and pasted from their site ......

 

http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/

 

3 - If the building is no longer needed for its original purpose, could it be put to a new use?

SAVE believes, and has proved time and time again, that all types of historic buildings can have a new lease of life through conversion, offering potential and exciting challenges for developers and architects. Some of the most imaginative and interesting places to work and visit are converted historic buildings. They have proved enormously successful in both commercial and aesthetic terms.

Even if the building is in poor repair, modern building techniques are able to solve many structural problems that were deemed insoluble some years ago.

Building conservation is inherently environmentally sustainable; it is a way of using existing resources for an end-product that is unique and irreplaceable.

One more question you might ask yourself is: Is it Worth the Fight? If you feel that it will be too much of an uphill struggle to save a building, take heart from others' achievements.

In the late 1970s, many of the cases SAVE was involved with caused ridicule amongst our critics.

But the recognition since of the tremendous value of historic buildings of all types, the successful conversion of buildings for new uses and a public determination that history will not repeat itself in terms of the demolition and desecration that was then taking place, have inspired us - and many local amenity societies, preservation trusts, action groups and individuals - to carry on campaigning.

[dippyhippy]

Ubique!!

 

Thanks so, so much!! I really appreciate that!

[megilleland]

Introduction: A SAVE Guide to running your own campaign to save an historic building

Why is it that conservation areas in our cities, towns and villages are such popular places to live, work and shop? Why is it so pleasant to walk down a particular street. drive through a country village with its church, cottages and farms, or visit a country house and gardens? Britain's historic buildings - of all types - have a vitally important role to play in our daily lives.

 

Without even realising it, we are constantly passing and using historic buildings and areas, visiting the local library or town hall, high street shops, the cinema or pub, the public park or hospital.

 

Some will be recognised as being of architectural and historic value, but there are others of more modest appearance which would nevertheless be sorely missed if they disappeared. On the whole, these are the buildings most vulnerable to demolition.

 

However, we are still faced with proposals for unsuitable new developments threatening the setting of more outstanding buildings; and hundreds of listed buildings and churches stand empty and neglected, and at risk.

 

Many people think it is hard to assess whether a building is worth preserving and ask what the criteria are for trying to save it. At SAVE we ask ourselves three simple questions:

 

1 - How important, architecturally or historically, is the building?

If it is listed, then it has been officially recognised by English Heritage and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as being of special interest; it has statutory protections and, in the words of the government planning guidance note, '"once lost, listed buildings cannot be replaced . . they represent finite resource and an irreplaceable asset". Buildings are not listed lightly: they have to come up to strict standards to qualify.

 

If it is not listed, should it be? There are still many buildings that are not listed simply because they have not yet been properly surveyed, or have somehow slipped through the net.

 

Even though it may not qualify for listing, the building may have interesting features - architectural details, original doors or internal fittings. It may be that the weathered materials from which it is built are particularly attractive and there is something about the buildings that is pleasing to the eye - the soft red brick or golden stone, patterned brickwork or decorative iron work.

 

2 - Is the building in a conservation area?

Many buildings make a significant contribution to the local scene and may be an important part of the townscape. A church with its spire or tower will be a noticeable landmark. A row of Victorian town houses will be an attractive element of the street. The corner shop with its original shopfront may be a rare survivor in a redeveloped area. Once demolished these buildings will be missed.

 

Conservation areas are areas of special architectural interest and historic character. They are designated by local authorities which must then pay special attention to any applications to demolish or build anew within the area's boundaries.

 

Even if a building is not listed, special consent ("conservation area consent") must be sought to demolish it; so conservation area designation is a useful form of protection for unlisted buildings.

 

3 - If the building is no longer needed for its original purpose, could it be put to a new use?

SAVE believes, and has proved time and time again, that all types of historic buildings can have a new lease of life through conversion, offering potential and exciting challenges for developers and architects. Some of the most imaginative and interesting places to work and visit are converted historic buildings. They have proved enormously successful in both commercial and aesthetic terms.

 

Even if the building is in poor repair, modern building techniques are able to solve many structural problems that were deemed insoluble some years ago.

 

Building conservation is inherently environmentally sustainable; it is a way of using existing resources for an end-product that is unique and irreplaceable.

 

One more question you might ask yourself is: Is it Worth the Fight? If you feel that it will be too much of an uphill struggle to save a building, take heart from others' achievements.

 

In the late 1970s, many of the cases SAVE was involved with caused ridicule amongst our critics.

 

But the recognition since of the tremendous value of historic buildings of all types, the successful conversion of buildings for new uses and a public determination that history will not repeat itself in terms of the demolition and desecration that was then taking place, have inspired us - and many local amenity societies, preservation trusts, action groups and individuals - to carry on campaigning.

 

 

I thought it would be useful to print out the whole section.

[Cambo]

I have just spoken with a lady from save Britain's heritage there going to give me a call tomorrow.

They worked to help save Smithfields market in London back in 2008 although they've just had to do another campaign against Henderson global investors who now own the site. Out come of that public inquiry will be known soon.

BBC Home > BBC News > England

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Smithfield market plans refused

07 Aug 08 14:12

 

A part of the historic Smithfield market earmarked for demolition has been saved after planning permission to redevelop the site was refused.

The western part of the meat market in Farringdon, central London, was due to be converted into shops and offices.

The bid involved demolishing the disused 19th Century building, the General Market and other structures.

But Communities Secretary Hazel Blears refused permission saying the proposal would harm the area's character.

Ms Blears said the existing buildings on the site made "a significant contribution" to the character and appearance of Farringdon, including the Smithfield Conservation Area.

Public inquiry

The development was put forward by Thornfield Properties and the City of London.

The plans, which were the subject of a public inquiry, have proved controversial.

Supporters claimed the development would revive Smithfield but opponents suggest it would damage the conservation area and be intrusive.

English Heritage has not listed the General Market Building, but opposed the proposals to demolish it and redevelop the site.

Renovating and reusing

It said it was delighted with the decision.

Chief executive Simon Thurley said: "This decision proves that the historic environment is about much more than just individual listed buildings - this is an acknowledgement of the many unlisted - but not unloved - buildings which collectively create a powerful sense of place and positively contribute to the fabric of the city."

He also said it was inappropriate to demolish the General Market in an era when there was increasing concern about sustainability and said he hoped the City of London would now bring forward plans for renovating and reusing the building.

Smithfield has been home to a meat market for centuries, as well as the site of medieval jousting tournaments and St Bartholomew's fair.

Many of the market's Victorian buildings are listed.

Thornfield Properties said it was "disappointed" by Thursday's decision, adding: "We have been working on this project for more than five years and are committed to carrying it through to planning permission and full development of the site."

[Ubique]

Cambo - well done .

Megiland - and another well done .

You researchers certainly know where to gleen the relevant information - hopefully the end result goes in our favour .

[Cambo]

Thanks ubique & your welcome!

[dippyhippy]

Eight weeks, eleven and a half thousand views, and more than five hundred comments......and finally, a positive crumb of hope!

 

Brilliant news!

[bobby47]

Well done Cambo and well done Dippy and all.

[Cambo]

Here's an interesting read

 

 

The Meat Market at Smithfield, where the General Market and Fish Market face redevelopment

Smithfield Market in London is the greatest parade of 19th-century covered market halls in Europe. Now a storm is breaking over the buildings at the western end – the General Market, with its distinctive dome and arched galleries, and the unusual triangular Fish Market.

Henderson Global Investors, backed by the City of London Corporation, is proposing to gut almost all these market halls and replace them with office blocks looming above preserved street frontages. This would be the worst mutilation of a major Victorian building in 30 years.

Save Britain’s Heritage, the conservation group that I founded in 1975 with Simon Jenkins, Dan Cruickshank and others, is determined the site should reopen as a retail market modelled on those at Covent Garden, Greenwich and Spitalfields.

In all these places covered markets have played a key role in revitalising areas, making them attractive places to work, shop, eat and drink. Smithfield has the potential to be a still bigger magnet, as it stands above two major rail routes: Crossrail running east-west to Heathrow, and Thames Link, which connects Gatwick and Luton airports.

More

PERSPECTIVE

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National preservation groups, including the Victorian Society and World Monuments Fund, backed by celebrities such as Alan Bennett and Julian Lloyd Webber, have condemned the plans, which the City Corporation voted this month to approve.

London’s markets have a long history – Smithfield dates back to the 12th century, and Covent Garden and Spitalfields to the 17th century. Originally, stalls would have been set out in the open air but rising standards of hygiene led to covered markets. Many of these structures are triumphs of Victorian engineering. As a result, London’s historic markets have always been as enjoyable to visit for their architecture as for their produce.

Yet in the brave new world of postwar town planning there was little interest in the preservation of these buildings. London’s mighty Caledonian Market was bulldozed in the 1960s. London’s Covent Garden Market would have gone too had the Greater London Council in 1973 been allowed to push through its plans for a six-lane road parallel to the Strand, flanked by office blocks and high-rise hotels, but public outcry won the day.

©Getty

Billingsgate Fish Market in 1961

Save has been campaigning for endangered historic buildings for nearly 40 years, with a focus on finding lively new uses and financially viable solutions. Thirty years ago we faced a similar challenge to the present one. In 1980 the City Corporation announced plans to move Billingsgate Fish Market, located on the river Thames near London Bridge, to the Isle of Dogs and said that the £8m cost had to be paid for by replacing the handsome Victorian market building with a new office block.

Save challenged the City Corporation and together with the then Richard Rogers Partnership, we produced an alternative scheme showing how the market could be kept for public use, and offices built on the nearby lorry park. When the City finally marketed the building on the basis of our scheme it raised £22m.

In 2000, the City Corporation invited Eric Reynolds, the market entrepreneur behind the revival of Greenwich and Spitalfields Markets, to put forward proposals for Smithfield General Market, but never pursued them.

The General Market had been built as a retail market in the 1880s and Reynolds proposed it should be revived partly as a food market on the lines of Borough Market south of the Thames. Instead, the City backed an office block proposal – selling a long lease to developers Thornfield.

At a public inquiry in 2007-8, Save and English Heritage, the Government’s adviser on historic buildings, secured the rejection of Thornfield’s plans. Ministers agreed that the General Market and Fish Market should be offered for sale on the open market before demolition was considered.

Thornfield then went into administration and, instead of being offered for sale, the market buildings were transferred with Thornfield’s assets for a consideration of £50m to AIMco Re Holdings (but ultimately controlled by FREP Holdings Canada).

English Heritage now did a curious volte-face, accepting plans by Henderson Global Investors (as agents of FREP Holdings Canada) to gut the General Market that would leave just three preserved frontages on the basis that there was no viable alternative.

Eric Reynolds is now offering to invest £28m in converting the General Market and Fish Market as public markets, with different groups of stallholders present on different days.

Working with London architect John Burrell, Save also wants to revive the former railway sidings beneath the General Market. This is an amazing netherworld, akin to the water cisterns beneath Istanbul. The idea is to create a London fashion hub to host the growing number of fashion shows in the capital.

Revived historic quarters have brought enjoyment as well as economic benefits to almost every city in Europe. A recent report by architects Allies and Morrison, with Strutt & Parker, has shown that repairs to historic buildings in high streets (including market buildings) can increase footfall by up to 6 per cent.

The whole Smithfield quarter, like Covent Garden before, has flourished by a process of natural regeneration, as independent shops and restaurants have moved into the premises of departing wholesalers.

In Covent Garden the clincher was the decision to preserve and reopen the market halls. Smithfield General Market offers the opportunity for London to lead Europe in showing how another group of market halls can be a catalyst for economic revival. But this is now an issue that can only be resolved in the forum of a public inquiry.

The playwright Alan Bennett draws a telling comparison with the great medieval church next to the market. “If you go to St Bartholomew’s and then walk through Smithfield, it is like walking from one cathedral to another. You wouldn’t pull down St Bartholomew’s, nor should you pull down Smithfield. Smithfield was the scene of many martyrdoms – this would be another.â€

Marcus Binney is executive president of Save Britain’s Heritage

-------------------------------------------

[dippyhippy]

We could do with someone "High Profile" banging the drum for the Working Boys Home.

 

My only link to anybody remotely well known, is my old Mum used to live next door to Roger Whittakers parents.....yes, he who could really whistle a tune!

 

Other than that, Dad once shared the stage with the Wurzels!

 

Anyone do any better.....let's be honest, it shouldn't be hard!

[Cambo]

Prince Charles maybe he could help? not that I know him personally mind you but he does own an estate @ harewood end plus loads of land all over the county & donates money to Hereford cathedral as I'm lead to believe?

[dippyhippy]

And he's a passionate advocate for great architecture!

 

Good thought Cambo.....and much more impressive than Roger Whittaker!